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Self-Care Challenge (Day 74): Lounging

On day 74 of my 366-day self-care challenge, I took a breather and spent some time lounging.

In case you missed it, yesterday was National Napping Day, and it’s no accident that it comes on the heels of daylight savings time. And for those who don’t work at Google, or any other company that offers an employee nap room, it can be tough to adjust.

But time changes aside, some days are just filled with so many commitments that even breathing feels like work. And when we don’t allow our bodies to fully recover, there are consequences.

Rest, one of the three core components of our systemic health, is one of our most basic human needs. Without adequate amounts of sleep, our physical and mental abilities are limited. Likewise, rest directly impacts our emotive health – how we express ourselves and respond to life’s circumstances. (If you’ve ever had a conversation with a sleep-deprived person, you know what I mean.)

Taking breaks periodically throughout the work day is a key part of my personal self-care plan. It helps me refocus on tasks and, ultimately, it helps me get more done. Most of the time, these breaks are no more than 10-minutes. A quick walk outside. A few minutes sitting on my swing in the sun. It’s rarely anything fancy.

When we’re rested, we perform at higher levels. And while napping at work probably isn’t an option for most of us, taking a walk, practicing deep-breathing exercises, or spending a few minutes sitting in silence can help revive our mental capacity. Whatever you call it – lounging, resting, relaxing, or something else altogether – taking regular breaks supports our well-being.

Want to read all 366 days of this challenge in a convenient eBook?

Ready to design a self-care practice that you love?

Stacy Fisher-Gunn

I’m the founder of Living Upp, a self-care planning and design company that teaches individuals and organizations how live up to their fullest potential using a unique 8-dimensional self-care system that I developed. I’m an author, speaker, and self-care designer with 18+ years of experience in the healthcare industry as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.